News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Cheryl Dziesinski takes her two dogs, Molcha and Angel, for a walk through Evergreen Cemetery in Alpena on Wednesday. Currently, it is illegal to have dogs in the cemetery, but the Alpena Municipal Council is considering removing that rule, as well as one that bans motorcycles.

ALPENA — The Alpena Municipal Council is considering some rule changes for the city-owned Evergreen Cemetery.

Current rules restrict certain types of gravestones, motorcycles, and dogs, but the council will consider relaxing those rules when it meets today.

Residents often walk through the cemetery and admire the art of the headstones and learn about the people from the area who have died. On any given day, people can be seen walking, jogging, riding bikes, or walking dogs through the cemetery on Washington Avenue, which abuts the Alpena Wildlife Sanctuary.

The dog and motorcycle bans, which were established decades ago, are rarely enforced.

Mayor Matt Waligora said the only issue is when dogs are left to roam free and not on a leash, which violates a citywide ordinance.

Plus, “nobody wants to go visit a loved one and find that a dog had gone to the bathroom there,” Waligora said.

City Engineer Rich Sullenger said too few people use disposable doggie mitts to pick up after their animals.

“There are a lot of people who are really good about it, but then you have those who aren’t,” Sullenger said. “All people need to do is the right thing, and this isn’t even an issue.”

Motorcycles are also banned in the cemetery, but Sullenger said there many ride their motorcycles to visit a loved one’s grave at the cemetery or to attend memorial events there. Again, there’s rarely an issue with the driver revving their bike during a funeral or when someone is visiting a grave, but on rare occasions there is, Sullenger said.

“For the most part, everyone who is on a motorcycle or bike is respectful, but, years ago, there was an issue,” he said. “It really just comes down to common courtesy for others who may be grieving. It really hasn’t been a problem for us.”

The city recently received a request to allow a laser-engraved, stainless-steel headstone. At first, Sullenger was against the idea, because simple groundskeeping could unintentionally damage that type of marker.

“We mow around them, weed-whack, and they can be nicked, chipped, or scratched,” Sullenger said. “Plus, 30% of the time, when we need to do excavating for a burial, we have to move gravestones around to be able to dig. If we allow it, it will also set precedent, and we will end up having more of them.”

Sullenger said he plans to present an updated recommendation to the council today.